12.02.2009
http://media.pumaoceanracing.com
PUMA gear up for longest ever leg of Volvo Ocean Race
February 12, 2009 – The PUMA Ocean Racing team will begin the longest leg
ever sailed in the history of the Volvo Ocean Race this Saturday, when
they embark on the 12,300 mile journey from Qingdao, China, to Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil. Expected to take forty days to complete, this epic
journey will take the fleet from one extreme to another as the teams face
every single different variety of sailing conditions imaginable. Eating up
entire swaths of ocean, crossing the equator and rounding the notorious
seafaring landmark, Cape Horn, the team will be battling their way to Rio
in the knowledge that a podium finish in Brazil is vital to their overall
position in the race.
One of only four boats to finish leg four to China, the PUMA shore team
has worked day and night in freezing temperatures to ensure PUMA’s il
mostro was ready for the Qingdao In Port race last weekend, and for the
start of leg five, this Saturday, Valentine’s Day. In a leg which covers
more miles than the previous three summed together, during which several
breakages have occurred, outstanding preparation is vital. With forty days
worth of sails, spares and food packed, the PUMA team is set for the
battle ahead.
Skipper Ken Read commented: “We are expecting the unexpected during this
leg. It’s going to be an adventure, and the ocean is going to throw
anything and everything at us. Right out of the starting blocks here in
China we are expecting to be absolutely fire-hosed with freezing cold
water, with a wind chill well below zero degrees. Once we’re sick of the
wet and wild conditions, we’ll be back stripping off our layers as we
begin dripping in sweat again when we cross the equator for the third
time. Our passage down through the Pacific is not a common yacht racing
route so once more we’ll have some tricky navigational decisions to make.”
“And that’s just the half of it. Next we’ll be pulling our thermals and
boots on again as we delve back into the nasty Southern Ocean, dodging
icebergs on the way east towards Cape Horn. After Cape Horn, we head back
up through the Southern Atlantic into the tropics, and then to Brazil. It
will be an adventure for sure, with many miles and many points at stake.
We’re going to take a beating, and this is what ocean racing is all about.
This leg is longer than any leg ever sailed in the Volvo Ocean Race ever
before, and equates to about half of a solo circumnavigation of the world.
Don’t be surprised to see a lot of place-changing amongst the fleet, it
will be a great one to watch from a spectators point of view. And expect a
big party in Rio!”
Leg five will start from Fushan Bay, Qingdao, China at 1300 local/0500
GMT/0000 EST on Saturday 14th February.
The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St.
Petersburg, Russia. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium
category and is the only Sportslifestyle company to participate in the
Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. For more information about the race, team and
the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com
Alongside PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA has launched a full
range of marine clothing and apparel, from offshore sailing gear to
onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was
developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and is worn by
the team throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. The PUMA Sailing
Lifestyle collection takes inspiration from the sport.
For more information on Puma Ocean Racing, please contact:
Bridgid Murphy or Kate Fairclough - PUMA Ocean Racing
Tel: +1 978 996 5155 or +44 7827 277 517
bridgid.murphy@puma.com or kate.fairclough@puma.com
PUMA Ocean Racing Crew List, Leg Five, Qingdao – Rio de Janeiro:
Ken Read (USA) Skipper
Andrew Cape (AUS) Navigator
Rick Deppe (GBR) Media Crew Member
Sidney Gavignet (FRA) Watch Captain
Robert Greenhalgh (GBR) Watch Captain
Rob Salthouse (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Justin Ferris (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Erle Williams (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Michael Müller (GER) Trimmer/Pit
Jerry Kirby (USA) Bowman
Casey Smith (AUS) Bowman
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